Since I started having to travel with a baby in subways, I’ve noticed horrible behaviors of Japanese people. I have experienced being on an elevator and with my baby and a Japanese person would (obviously) fake a cough. This happened a few times.
There was never a time in my many commutes where people (not old, pregnant, etc) actually offered priority seats.
Sometimes I want to confront them but since I have a baby and don’t want to end up getting into a fight, I just がまん.
Any advice on how to deal with rude people on subways?
9 comments
you’re likely overthinking the cough
if you want a seat, ask for it
If you want a seat, ask for it. Seriously, it’s what I did through all of my pregnancy. These seats are there for you, not for Genki Tanaka. Obviously, if the person looks like they’re unstable, don’t talk to them, but I got to sit on >90% of my commutes.
Same goes if you’re travelling with a baby. Just do a very very sorry face and ask them if they would maybe give up their seats.
I’m not sure about the cough thing though, I haven’t experienced that at all and suspect it might just old people being old people?
The rest of the world at large did not sign on to have your baby.
This comes across as projecting insecurities on to every day people because they are failing to meet an intuitive standard you’ve set for them.
I don’t think you’re a bad person for doing this.
You might not even be aware that’s how it comes off which is why I’m offering the perspective.
I echo others’ sentiments. Ask.
” I have experienced being on an elevator and with my baby and a Japanese person would (obviously) fake a cough”
Racist elevator coughs. This sub gets better.
Anything else happen?
If you want a seat, ask for a seat, but keep in mind not all disabilities are immediately visible. You could be asking someone ill, injured, elderly, disabled or maybe even pregnant to give up a seat. Some people are selfish jerks who take up priority seats they don’t need, some people genuinely need those seats despite what you may assume about them based on appearances.
> I just がまん.
*cough* there’s your problem, right there.
Just がまんing is not enough – you must 我慢 to have any effect.
If someone fails to give up their seat, try standing right in front of them, regardless of how crowded the train is.
Do Japanese people actually fight? They all seem so tame.
I found many Japanese mothers prefer to stand as babies often start crying when they sit down.
So if you want to sit down, please let us know!!